TACKLING THE ADMISSION TEST

Solvay Brussels School Vietnam

Overall Structure

❑ Analytical section
▪ Logic-based
▪ Multiple-choices questions
❑ Essay
▪ 3 short essay questions
❑ Interview
▪ Panel interview
Total Mark Calculation
□ Section ratio (Analytical – Essay –
Interview)
▪ MBA: 25 – 25 – 50%
▪ MBQPM: 25 – 25 – 50%
▪ MMCOM: 20 – 30 – 50%
Written Test Structure

MBA MBQPM MMCOM

No. of Analytical Questions 30 20 10
Expected Duration (minutes) 45 45 25
No. of Essay Questions 3 3 3
Expected Duration (minutes) 45 30 45
TOTAL TIME (minutes) 90 75 70
 Analytical Section
Scope of Assessment
□ Mathematics
■ Calculating, applying elementary
mathematical concepts/principles
■ Solving practical quantitative problems
□ Data analysis
■ Interpreting graphic data
■ Reasoning quantitatively
Calculation - Example

□ If 8x + 5x + 2x + 4x = 114, then
5x + 3 =
A. 12
B. 25 Answer
C. 33
D. 47
E. 86
 Calculation - Example

2 approaches to the answer choice:

1. Simple calculating
■ Add all elements of the first equation (19x)
■ Find x (114: 19 = 6)
■ Calculate the second equation (5x6) +3 =33)

It takes time!
 Calculation - Example

2 approaches to the answer choice:

2. Applying mathematical principles
■ Ignore the first equation
■ Focus on the second equation:
□ Any number multiplied by 5 results in a number
ended by either 0 or 5
□ When added with 3, the new number should be
ended by either 3 or 8
□ Among the 5 options, only C (33) satisfies this
condition
 Quantitative Problem Solving
- Examples
1. The cost of a camera at 20% discount is $100. Find
its actual price.
A. $105 Answer
B. $125
C. $130
D. $225
E. $335

2 approaches
Calculation Estimation and Elimination

80% = 100 225, 335 vs.100: ~200%, 300%

20% = 100:4 = 25 🡪 eliminate D & E
100% = 100+25=125 5, 25, 30 vs. 100: 25 is closest to
20 (%) 🡪 take B
 Quantitative Problem Solving -
Examples

2. The present age of Falcon is thrice the present age of

Simran who is 20. How many years ago was the age of
falcon five times that of Simran?
A. 5
B. 6 Answer
C. 7
D. 7.5
E. 10
2 approaches
Calculation Estimation and Elimination
Simran’s age: 20 5 times 🡪 eliminate B & C because
Falcon’s age: 20*3=60 they will not give any result that is
X = number of years ago multiple of 5 i.e. a number ended by 0
60 - x = 5 (20 - x) or 5
60 - x = 100 - 5 x Eliminate D because half year is not
40 = 4 x applicable to calculate ages
x = 10. Simran’s age: 20
Falcon’s age: 20*3=60
D satisfies the condition.
Types of Quantitative Problems

□ Calculation of
■ Average
■ Time, workload, speed
■ Simple interest and earning
■ Price and discount
■ Etc.
Data Analysis - Example

What was the average

weight of the
infant between
April and October?
A. 10 lbs
B. 10 lbs 5 ounces
C. 10 lbs 8 ounces
D. 11 lbs 5 ounces
E. 11 lbs 8 ounces
Data Analysis - Example

What was the average

weight of the
infant between
April and October?
A. 10 lbs
B. 10 lbs 5 ounces
C. 10 lbs 8 ounces
D. 11 lbs 5 ounces
E. 11 lbs 8 ounces
Answer (Estimate with your eyes!)
Data Analysis – Example 2
1. How many boys attended the
1995 convention?
(A) 358
Answer
(B) 390
(Observe
(C) 407
the
(D) 540
chart)
(E) 716
Data Analysis – Example 2

2.Which two years did the

least number of boys attend
the convention?
(A)1995 and 1996
(B)1995 and 1998
(C)1996 and 1997
(D)1996 and 1998
(E)1997 and 1998

Answer
-Do not believe the shape
(lowest bar in 1998)
-Combine % from the chart
and absolute value from table
(1996)
Analytical Section - Hints

□ Read the questions very carefully

□ Apply simple maths principles
□ Approximate and round up the results to 1 of
the options
□ Pay attention to extremes in
charts/tables/graphs
□ Manage your time
Essay Section - Scope

□ Written essay to provide

■ Opinions
■ Answers
■ Reasons
■ Arguments
Essay Section - Requirements

□ Good command of written English

■ Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes;
■ Clear expression of ideas;
■ Good paragraphing: ONE complete idea; topic
sentence and supporting sentences.
□ Academic writing style
■ Completed structure: Introduction – Body –
Conclusion in paragraphs
■ Good choice of words and expressions
■ Arguments are justified/supported with facts
and/or examples
■ Critical reasoning
Essay Section - Examples

□ What are some important qualities of a good

supervisor (boss)?
■ Name the qualities in order of importance
■ Use specific details and examples to explain why
these qualities are important.
□ Do you agree or disagree with the following
statement: “Face-to-face communication is
better than other types of communication, such
as letters, email, or telephone calls”?
■ State clearly your position
■ Use specific reasons and details to support your
choice.
Essay Section - Examples

□ Write a short essay to answer ALL

the following questions:
■ According to you, why is employee
training important for companies?
■ How does your decision to apply for our
MBA program fit with your company’s
training policy?
Essay Section - Examples

□ Introductory paragraph
■ State clearly 2-3 points to justify the importance of
training to a company
□ Body
■ 2-3 paragraphs discuss/explain the importance of
training to YOUR company
■ 1 paragraph provides information of YOUR company’s
training policy
■ 1 paragraph justifies YOUR decision to apply for our
MBA program under YOUR company’s training policy
□ Concluding paragraph
■ Re-emphasize the importance of training
Essay Section - Hints

□ Manage your time

■ Spend time on Planning, not just Writing
■ Reserve time for Reviewing and Editing
□ No limit to the length of the essay
□ Answer all questions – you will earn more
points for 3 good essays than 1 excellent one.
Essay Section - Hints

□ State your points up-front: Topic sentence is

very important
□ Body paragraphs show a link OR development
of ideas
□ Paraphrase to make sure that Introduction and
Conclusion are consistent
Interview Section
Make sure you know by heart:
▪Your motivation to join the program
▪Your career vision, strategy and plan
▪Your role model, passion and dream
▪The fields of business, industry you are
interested in
▪Vietnamese and the world economy,
and most updated market trends
Sources for preparation

□ For analytical section

■ Any sources about GMAT
□ For essay
■ Zemach D.E. & Rumisek L.A. (2003). Academic
Writing – from paragraph to essay. Macmillan
■ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/1/
BEST OF LUCK !